By IANS, [RxPG] New Delhi, Feb 8 - India and south east Asian nations will deliberate on ways to strengthen and promote traditional systems of medicine in the region during a two-day conference here Feb 12-13, an official said Friday.

The objective is to promote the traditional and complementary medicine in health care in general and primary health care in particular, and evaluate their integration into national health systems, a health ministry official said.

The ministry of health and family welfare in collaboration with the World Health Organisation - will organise the conference, which will see participation from health ministers of the south-east Asian countries, experts from WHO and some other countries.

The experts will identify best practices, share national policies, programmes and experiences to promote traditional medicine systems in the SEARO region that includes 11 nations in the south-east Asia.

They will also exchange views and share evidence-based information and country experiences, the official added.

The WHO has been supporting the development of traditional and complementary medicine in all member countries.

The 62nd World Health Assembly Resolution in 2009 urged member states to undertake various activities in the field of traditional medicine in accordance with national capacities, priorities, relevant legislations and circumstances.